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Sunday, 18 December 2016

Lesotho Holidays and Festivals

Lesotho holidays are centered around Christianity and the rich heritage and culture of the country. There are also celebrations of independence, and events linked to the troubled times leading up to the political stability of the present day. The two favorites in all Basotho are the Morija Arts and Cultural Festival and King Moshoeshoe I's Day.

Moshoeshoe's Day

On March 11, Bosotho people get together in celebration of the life and reign of Moshoeshoe the Great, Lesotho's first king who died in 1870. A great leader and talented diplomat, the king was responsible for the preservation of much of the cultural heritage still thriving today, as well as the establishment of Christianity through his welcoming of European missionaries.

Family Day

Family Day in early March is a celebration of one of the pillars of the country's culture. Family get-togethers involve workers returning to their villages for the day to eat, drink and have a great time.

Easter

Easter week, usually in April, is the year's most important religious festival, with all the usual parades, church attendances and family get-togethers. Most Basotho take their Christianity very seriously, with Easter Sunday a day of pure joy.

Morija Arts and Cultural Festival

The favorite event in Lesotho, the Arts and Cultural Festival, is held every September or October for five days in and around the capital. It is a feast of theater, poetry, dance, music, song, crafts, art exhibits, and everything in between. The festival showcases performances of jazz, modern music, African movies, and much more, and draws tens of thousands of visitors.

Independence Day

Independence Day, which falls on October 4, celebrates the country's release from British colonialism and its emergence as a free state. The day is a national holiday, celebrated all over the little country with traditional events, costumes, songs, dance, and musical performances. The city streets and villages come alive with revelers, while the Lesotho Royal Family greets foreign diplomats and important visitors from other African countries.

Lesotho Jazz Festival

The Lesotho Jazz festival takes place in the capital every December, attracting musicians from other southern nations as well as from all over Lesotho. Jazz is popular all over Africa, with this event focusing on music as an integral part of social development. Set in the heart of the tourist season, the event draws spectators from many countries.

Christmas

Almost all Basotho are Christians, with the faith's religious holidays celebrated in true African fashion with church services, family gatherings and the glorious full-voiced African harmonies used in full effect in a capella Christmas hymns. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a not-to-be-missed experience.

New Year

The welcoming of the New Year takes place with typical African enthusiasm, involving street celebrations, fireworks at midnight and parties all over town.

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About Me

I am a gemini. Born 26 of May 1964. Geminis are versatile people. After my secondary education, I was trained at the then Center for cultural studies, University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria, (Now Creative Art Department) where music, dance and drama were taught to us. There and then, I worked with people like Professors Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko, Akin Euba, Laz Ekweme and Alaja Brown in music. And I also worked with Professors Bode Osanyin and Uwa Hunwick taking part in stage drama productions. I have taken part in a few films and I have also done sound tracks for some films as well. I am a culture blogger, an artiste, a researcher, a percussionist and an author. I like everything related to The Arts generally. I have done three albums and my latest album is coming out very soon! My passion for culture and tradition of my country gave birth to my interest in culture, tradition, fashion, music, dance and cuisine of
other countries of the world. I have also written three stage plays and they are ODARA, ODUN IFA and VENGEANCE. The blog is dedicated to my children.